Some social media users believe that Erling Haaland ought to have received a red card during the first half of Manchester City’s New Year’s Eve match against Everton.
In the 24th minute, the Norwegian goal machine added a new goal to his season total, but 20 minutes later, he received a yellow card for a careless foul.
Haaland, 22, received a warning for a sliding tackle that left Everton defender Vitalii Mykolenko on the ground.
On social media, some viewers of the Saturday afternoon kickoff expressed the opinion that the former Borussia Dortmund striker, who brought down the Ukrainian, was fortunate to be still alive.
One tweet read: ‘Red. Player completely off the ground and out of control of his body. Could [have] been a leg breaker.’
Another wrote: ‘Red. Unnecessary and reckless. If this was a defender on an attacking player, wouldn’t even be a question asked. Straight red.’
Everton players complained to referee Andrew Madley that it should have received a harsher punishment but that only a yellow card was issued.
The Man City striker was fortunate to stay on the field at the Etihad, but former top-flight referee Peter Walton told BT Sport that tensions had been running high ever since the injured Norwegian fell to the ground earlier in the game before getting back up.
Walton said: ‘This game has been simmering since Haaland got injured and since then Andy Madley has had a real hard time keeping control. It has this undercurrent.
Demarai Gray of Everton scored an equalizer for the visitors after the break, and as a result, Man City lost two points in their chase of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League standings.
